Developed from operational use in Ukraine since 2022, the AR3 EVO built on tens of thousands of flight hours and battlefield experience. The system incorporated modular design, low-signature propulsion, resilient communications and advanced navigation autonomy to perform even in contested communications and GNSS environments.
A key feature of the AR3 EVO was its new shipborne capability, allowing launch and landing in spaces as small as 5×5 metres, including the decks of small vessels. This enabled wide-area maritime intelligence and surveillance for missions such as anti-piracy, coastal monitoring, fleet awareness and border security.
The UAS was engineered around four pillars of flexibility: configurable payloads, selectable propulsion systems, dual deployment options including VTOL, and modular communications. Its dual deployment system – catapult launch for endurance and VTOL for confined spaces – allowed mission readiness in under five minutes and short training cycles for operators.
The AR3 EVO supported intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic attack, communications relay and maritime surveillance. From providing Ukrainian units with frontline intelligence to delivering ISR from ships, it addressed the demand for a portable and adaptable system in evolving security environments.
Ricardo Mendes, CEO of Tekever, said: “Tekever’s legacy is built on delivering operationally proven unmanned aerial systems that meet the world’s most urgent defence and security needs. The AR3 EVO is the culmination of years of battlefield experience, close collaboration with our partners in Ukraine, and relentless innovation. It represents not just an evolution of our technology, but a revolution in what small tactical UAVs can achieve – from seamless shipborne operations to advanced autonomy in denied environments. With the AR3 EVO, we are pushing the limits of capability, survivability, and adaptability, reaffirming Tekever’s role as a trusted leader in next-generation aerial intelligence solutions.”
